As events unfold across the globe, the Catholic community continues to face both challenges and celebrations.

Here’s a quick roundup of important Catholic news stories from this week that you might not have caught yet.

Berlin Pharmacist Forced to Quit Over Morning-After Pill Refusal

In Berlin, a pharmacist named Andreas Kersten recently made headlines after having to give up his license because he refused to sell the “morning-after” pill.

This decision came down after a court ruling in Berlin-Brandenburg that pharmacists who object to selling this pill on conscience grounds must leave their profession.

Although Kersten was acquitted of misconduct last year, the court’s ruling effectively ended his career as a pharmacist.

Speaking about the situation, he expressed regret over what he sees as pharmacists being denied freedom of conscience.

For Kersten, the morning-after pill represents a potential life-ending action, and that conflicted deeply with his personal beliefs.

He explained, “I cannot reconcile the so-called ‘morning-after pill’ with my conscience because it could possibly end a human life.

That’s why I felt compelled to surrender my pharmacist license.”

Two New Catholic Churches Celebrate Grand Openings in China

Meanwhile, across the globe in China, Catholics are celebrating new places of worship.

This week, two new Catholic churches officially opened their doors in the People’s Republic of China, offering fresh hope and gathering places for local believers.

In Xiaogan, a city in the Hubei province, the Church of Christ the King held its opening ceremony on May 10.

The impressive new church features a bell tower that reaches 108 feet into the sky, as well as a rectory and a parish center to support the local community.